Compromises to widen some parking spaces and a commitment to swift snow removal eased the minds of an incoming retailer's neighbours.
The proponents bringing Wholesale Sports to 1601 Victoria St. addressed the concerns they've heard over their plans to limit the amount of parking at the site during a public hearing Monday night.
An application before council proposes to cap the parking at 85 spaces and receive a variance to reduce the width of the parking stalls from the standard by 0.22 metres to 2.58m.
As explained by planning director Ian Wells, that is the size of the stalls currently in the lot.
But Dan Milburn, director of planning and business development with R. Radloff and Associates, speaking on behalf of the applicant said the proponents were willing to go further and widen approximately half of the stall to the standard 2.8-metre width.
They were also willing to register a restrictive covenant with their neighbours that snow would not be stored on site, rather it would be immediately hauled away and not take up any more parking lots space.
Those suggestions sat well with David and Robert Hillhouse, who own and manage Redwood Square. They had an opportunity to meet with the proponents prior to the meeting and came to an agreement.
"And in consideration for what they're proposing, we're prepared to support and drop any opposition we have," Robert said.
Dealing with snow removal was an ongoing issue with the property's previous owner, Robert said.
"We believe that will address our concerns such as there is sufficient parking for both buildings and businesses in those respective buildings to survive. And that's key," Robert said. "I don't think anybody wants to bring a new development to town to see that new development fail. And nobody wants to see a development come to town to make existing businesses fail."
Council unanimously approved third reading on the plan.
Coun. Lyn Hall said he was content with the fact that the applicant had publicly stated their commitment to making those agreements with their neighbours.
"If you don't stand by it, I guess you face the music," he said.
